Salish Kootenai College encourages research by faculty, staff, students, and other affiliated investigators that is consistent with the mission of the College. All research involving human subjects, for whom SKC students, faculty, and staff are subjects or investigators, whether on campus or elsewhere, is subject to review by the SKC Institutional Review Board to assure that the research activities meet ethical and legal standards. Additionally, all research by SKC students, faculty, and staff is subject to the Flathead Indian Reservation Research Protection Ordinance of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. The definition of research used in this policy is as follows: “a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” For the purposes of this policy, research may include human subjects, natural resources, traditional knowledge, or other subjects as defined by the Flathead Indian Reservation Research Protection Ordinance.

No research activities that involve human subjects or cultural or other resources of the Tribes may begin prior to approval by the IRB. It is the responsibility of the researcher to submit proposed research for review and determination of the need for IRB approval.

SKC complies with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the protection of human subjects involved in research (Code of Federal Regulations Title 45 Part 46 as revised January 19, 2017). Additionally, the Salish Kootenai College IRB considers the cultural intellectual property rights of the Tribes.

The Salish Kootenai College Institutional Review Board will have a written set of policies and procedures that are aligned with the Common Rule (CFR 45 Part 46) and that are publically available from the SKC website. The IRB shall have the sole authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove all research activities involving human subjects conducted under the auspices of SKC that are regulated by CFR Title 45 Part 46  Subpart A. 

The President appoints the members of the IRB. Members of the IRB will follow the IRB’s Standard Operating Procedures.  

The IRB has the authority to create or modify its procedures as long as the procedures meet these requirements. The procedures for IRB review and for application of investigators for IRB review of their proposed research will be freely available via links from the SKC website. Nothing in these procedures should be viewed as discouraging research or inappropriately limiting academic freedom.

Reviewed and approved by the SKC IRB 4/2020.

History:

Adopted: Policy has been in place prior to Sept. 2003
Revised: 12/18/2020